Phoenix, Ariz. — In the second game of the series at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, the UC Davis Baseball Team (5-7) came up just short in their comeback efforts as the Aggies suffered a 6-4 defeat Saturday night.
The UC Davis Aggies got strong performances from a pair of freshmen in this effort with Joey Wright recording two extra base hits, while Braydon Wooldridge drove in two runs. Wooldride built upon his 2-4 day in yesterday's matchup with Arizona State and provided the Aggies with life in the sixth inning after ripping a single to left field to bring in Mark Wolbert and Damian Stone.
Wright who transitioned to the nine-hole in today's game, supplied the thump for the UC Davis order with a pair of extra base hits in route to a 2-4 night. His night was highlighted by his home run in the top of the seventh which was crushed into the left field bullpen. The freshman from Newport Beach who entered his collegiate career known for his advanced baseball IQ, fielding skills and twitchy play style has already added a pair of home runs to his resume in the young season.
Also continuing his upward trajectory tonight for the Aggies was senior
James Williams III. Going 1-3 on the night with a double and an RBI, the switch-hitter from Huntington Beach was able to extend his hitting streak to six games and in the process, raise his season batting average to .268. After going hitless in the first three games of the season, this is a welcome sign for
Tommy Nicholson and company as the Aggies continue inching closer and closer to Big West play.
Sophomore Bryan Green (3-1) who has had one of the best starts among all starting pitchers in the country, toed to rubber tonight and took his first loss of the year. After allowing only one run combined in his first three starts, Green finished tonight allowing five runs, and five hits in five innings of work.
After Green, the Aggies turned it over to junior Danny Carrion who shined out of the bullpen, going two shutout innings, allowing just one hit. Following up Carrion was Alejandro Huezo who did his best to keep the game within striking distance allowing one run, one hit, and recording two strikeouts in bottom of the eighth.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Digging themselves an early 3-0 deficit, Arizona State was able to capitalize in the first inning making Green pay for his only three walks in the game. An idea that is familiar with the Aggie pitching staff and would end up coming to fruition, "walks end up coming in to score." Even with this early lead extending all the way to five for Arizona State, UC Davis wouldn't fold that easily as the Aggies first put runs on the board in the sixth inning. UC Davis scored three runs in the frame, and was highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of Wooldridge into left field.
The Aggies kept the deficit at 5-3 before closing the gap further in the seventh. UC Davis picked up a run on Wright's leadoff home run off of junior Matt Tieding, which brought the score to 5-4 in favor of the Sun Devils. After threatening in the seventh by getting a pair of base runners on, the Sun Devil defense got a much needed double-play to halt the Aggies in their tracks.
After the seventh, UC Davis was unable to get any closer, as Arizona State added one more run to their tally on the way to a 6-4 final.
GAME NOTES
» UC Davis' power output was led by Wright, who picked up two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» UC Davis' highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed three runs across.
» UC Davis pitchers faced 35 Arizona State hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and 12 fly balls while striking out three.
» Wright led the Aggies at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and an RBI.
» Arizona State was led offensively by sophomore Ryan Campos, who went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI.
» Senior Jesse Wainscott led the Sun Devils pitching staff, throwing two shutout innings.
